How do dissolved substances get in and out of cells?

Dissolved substances can move into and out of cells by diffusion and osmosis.

What is Diffusion?

Diffusion is the spreading of the particles of a gas, or of any substance in solution, resulting in a net movement from a region where they are of a higher concentration. The greater the difference in concentration, the faster the rate of diffusion. Oxygen required for respiration passes through cell membranes by diffusion.

What is Osmosis?

Water often moves across boundaries by osmosis. Osmosis is the diffusion of water from a dilute to a more concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane that allows the passage of water molecules.

Differences in the concentrations of the solutions inside and
outside a cell cause water to move into or out of the cell by osmosis